Rockness Recommends
Get ready for some serious Frenchkiss/Monitor action
March 10, 2006
You can kill three birds with one stone (somewhere PETA is frowning) in Austin, because a few of our very favorite bands are playing together this week at the Frenchkiss/Monitor Records showcase. Phew! At least you get a few hours in one place before hustling across the highway to some other show you just know is going to be worth the trek. Frenchkiss Rahim, Thunderbirds are Now!, and The Plastic Constellations put on entirely energetic shows that will be bring some serious sass to your pants. Start your weekend early and rock these mischievously disjointed rhythms. (The Monitor portion of the show rules too! We just ran out of space!)
Headlining this friendly battle between Frenchkiss label mates is Thunderbirds are Now! Yee-haw, these guys rule! If anyone has seen these guys play, you don't need to be convinced that their live shows border on legendary. (If you saw them and didn't think so, you probably weren't drunk enough.) Detroit's TAN! play catchy keyboard rock with much help from wiry post-punk guitars, killer cowbells and even maracas. This is rhythm rock with a sly, rambunctious spirit that will get even the meekest of the meek up to dance. Ok maybe they won't get all you shy dudes to actually dance, but at the very least, they'll certainly inspire a vigorous nod of enthusiasm. Yelps, wails and struts to synths. What else do you need?
Minneapolis' The Plastic Constellations formed in 1995 when the four members were but spry, earnest 14-year-olds. They have certainly matured nicely. The band has now had over 10 years to practice their playfully quirky melodies, driven by a blazing post-punk rhythmic intensity, making for completely infectious and highly energetic live shows.
Each member shares vocal shouts in the key of atonal, and their sense of humor is always at the forefront of these spazzy songs they sing. Think of them as the Dismemberment Plan meets Modest Mouse meets Les Savy Fav. If you feel like going to a show that's "fun," but not so fun as to be a "joke band," The Plastic Constellations may be exactly what you're looking for. Yeah, I know we at Oh My Rockness talk about Rahim ALL THE TIME, but what can we do? Our hands our tied on this one... if you come across a band on whose music you can depend, you must recommend. Rahim is hands-down one of our favorite new bands. Think melodic, art-pop similar to Afghan Whigs meets Les Savy Fav meets a dash of D.C. Dischord. Rahim have tremendously strong melodies supported by a plastic-whistle-blowing drummer, a keyboardist/bassist/sometime drummer, and a guitarist/vocalist who spins his clever web of words into something that actually rocks. It's refreshing to see a band live who are actually into what they're playing, and excited about being on stage. If you guys have fun up there, we have fun down here. And Rahim shows are always fun. Get there early and see them rock out. They're seriously better than Hirickey's chicken pad thai.
Thunderbirds are Now!, The Plastic Constellations and Rahim play Soho Lounge, Thursday, March 16th
Headlining this friendly battle between Frenchkiss label mates is Thunderbirds are Now! Yee-haw, these guys rule! If anyone has seen these guys play, you don't need to be convinced that their live shows border on legendary. (If you saw them and didn't think so, you probably weren't drunk enough.) Detroit's TAN! play catchy keyboard rock with much help from wiry post-punk guitars, killer cowbells and even maracas. This is rhythm rock with a sly, rambunctious spirit that will get even the meekest of the meek up to dance. Ok maybe they won't get all you shy dudes to actually dance, but at the very least, they'll certainly inspire a vigorous nod of enthusiasm. Yelps, wails and struts to synths. What else do you need?
Minneapolis' The Plastic Constellations formed in 1995 when the four members were but spry, earnest 14-year-olds. They have certainly matured nicely. The band has now had over 10 years to practice their playfully quirky melodies, driven by a blazing post-punk rhythmic intensity, making for completely infectious and highly energetic live shows.
Each member shares vocal shouts in the key of atonal, and their sense of humor is always at the forefront of these spazzy songs they sing. Think of them as the Dismemberment Plan meets Modest Mouse meets Les Savy Fav. If you feel like going to a show that's "fun," but not so fun as to be a "joke band," The Plastic Constellations may be exactly what you're looking for. Yeah, I know we at Oh My Rockness talk about Rahim ALL THE TIME, but what can we do? Our hands our tied on this one... if you come across a band on whose music you can depend, you must recommend. Rahim is hands-down one of our favorite new bands. Think melodic, art-pop similar to Afghan Whigs meets Les Savy Fav meets a dash of D.C. Dischord. Rahim have tremendously strong melodies supported by a plastic-whistle-blowing drummer, a keyboardist/bassist/sometime drummer, and a guitarist/vocalist who spins his clever web of words into something that actually rocks. It's refreshing to see a band live who are actually into what they're playing, and excited about being on stage. If you guys have fun up there, we have fun down here. And Rahim shows are always fun. Get there early and see them rock out. They're seriously better than Hirickey's chicken pad thai.
Thunderbirds are Now!, The Plastic Constellations and Rahim play Soho Lounge, Thursday, March 16th
